Canada pulls DOT-111 rail cars from crude-oil service

Legacy DOT-111 tank cars were scheduled to be entirely removed from crude-oil service in Canada effective today, according to Transport Canada.

The Canadian government ordered the cars would no longer be used for transporting crude-oil by rail into or within Canada as part of Protective Directive 38, an effort to improve the safety of shipping hazardous materials by rail, Transport Canada officials said in a press release.

Protective Direction 38 accelerated the phasing out of unjacketed legacy DOT-111 tank cars six months early and legacy jacketed DOT-111 cars 16 months early. The cars are considered to be the least crash resistant tank cars in crude-oil service.

The older units have been replaced by the TC-117, which includes additional safety features such as thicker steel, head shields, thermal protection, and top fitting protection.

"Rail safety is my number one priority and the phasing out of DOT-111 tank cars is a crucial step towards strengthening our rail safety system by making sure that crude oil no longer travels in the least crash-resistant tank cars," said Transport Minister Marc Garneau. "My department will ensure that the deadline is respected and will not hesitate to take quick action should any legacy tank cars be found transporting crude oil."